Fatigue, hormone imbalances, weight gain, insomnia, and anxiety... do you struggle with any of these IBS symptoms? Not to mention malabsorption from a leaky gut. If you struggle with IBS, odds are it's triggered by at least one of the root causes below. Once we know what's causing the problem, we can fix it. IBS is not a single disease with a single cause. There could be multiple causes. And they're going to be unique to each person. But I want to share with you the five that I see in my clients most often.
Many of these causes might not be discussed with you by your doctor. It’s really motivating stuff, because it means there are very treatable solutions for your IBS symptoms...and what a relief to know it’s not “all in your head."
Often the result of antibiotics, a dysbiosis is difficult to detect. After all, what can you find?
It's a lack of beneficial bacteria that leads to these IBS-type symptoms, rather than the presence of any particularly bad bacteria.
Unfortunately, even a single course of antibiotics can permanently alter the gut flora and increase your risk of getting dangerous bacteria.
When you have a ‘leaky gut’, it’s like the wall is broken between your intestines and your bloodstream.
Macromolecules of food, toxins and pathogens that normally aren't allowed through (now flowing freely into your bloodstream) begin making your immune system alert and start fighting.
This is called an inflammatory immune response and causes all sorts of hormonal imbalance symptoms.
While both hydrogen and methane types typically result in abdominal bloating and distention (as with IBS sufferers), SIBO types are divided into one of three different categories: diarrhoea-dominant, constipation-dominant, or alternating variations of both.
Does this sound familiar? If so, that's because, according to some studies, as many as 85% of people diagnosed with IBS actually have SIBO.
Infections may also be a cause of your IBS.
Gut infections caused by pathogens:
Clients with food sensitivities commonly exhibit IBS symptoms of gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
The most prevalent food triggers for IBS sufferers I see include reactions to gluten, dairy, nuts, and others.
These include true allergies (IgE-mediated immune responses) or ntolerances (IgG-mediated immune response) as well as enzyme deficiencies leading to conditions like lactose or fructose malabsorption.
If you resonate with any of these issues, I have a solution below that'll start your gut-healing journey.
Healing the gut is a journey. If you are ready to begin yours, please consider two options:
References:
Janeway CA Jr, Travers P, Walport M, et al. (2001). Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health and Disease. 5th edition. New York: Garland Science. The mucosal immune system
Smith, J. (2003). The role of gastric acid in preventing foodborne disease and how bacteria overcome acid conditions. J Food Prot. 66(7), 1292-303
Magge, S., & Lembo, A. (2012). Low-FODMAP Diet for Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 8(11), 739-745
Mansueto, P., D'Alcamo, A., Seidita, A., & Carroccio, A. (2015). Food allergy in irritable bowel syndrome: The case of non-celiac wheat sensitivity. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 21(23), 7089-7109
Sachdev, A. H., & Pimentel, M. (2013). Gastrointestinal bacterial overgrowth: pathogenesis and clinical significance. Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease, 4(5), 223-231
Bures, J., et al. (2010). Small interstinal bacterial overgrowth syndrome. World Journal of Gastroenterology: WJG, 16(24), 2978-2990
